DAILY CARE

How to wind a mechanical watch

Manual winding movement

Automaic movement

Manual winding:you must wind a simple mechanical watch daily and at a regular time in order to ensure the smooth running of your watch. All you have to do is turn the crown back and forth until you feel a slight resistance. To avoid damaging the mechanism, do not over-wind.

Automatic winding: mechanical self-winding watches wind themselves automatically when worn on the wrist. If your watch stops or is not worn for long enough periods, the movement will have to be wound manually by turning the crown back and forth a few times.

To maintain their accuracy (between -2 /+ 20 seconds per day), mechanical movements need regular maintenance and checks. Also, mechanical movements are much more sensitive than quartz movements to various parameters such as gravity, physical shocks due to the wearer’s activities, magnetism, and temperature variations. Therefore, we recommend that our customers have the movement serviced and rate readjusted every 5 years.

If you are an owner of a mechanical watch, you should make sure you wear the watch for 8 to 10 hours a day to fully wind it. When fully wound, it will have a power reserve of 36 to 42 hours, ensuring continuous running.

How to use a quartz watch

The movement of a quartz watch is provided by a battery, eliminating the need to wind the watch manually. Therefore, in contrast a mechanical movement, the battery needs to be replaced. Normally, a battery should last approximately 24 months, but its lifespan depends on a number of factors. For example, a chronograph consumes more energy than a 3-hand timepiece, especially when the chronograph function is running constantly and is not stopped when switching to time mode. In this case, the battery life will be reduced by half.

On selected models, the battery end-of-life (EOL) indicator signals that the battery should be replaced within a few days. When the battery is low, the second hand stands still for 4 seconds then jumps to the correct time—or for digital displays, the indicator will blink in order to signal the need to replace the battery. This indication will last for approximately a week, then the watch hands will stop.

If you need to have the battery of your watch replaced, you should take it to an authorized Victorinox Swiss Army retailer or service center. Do not try to change the watch battery yourself. In any case, it is important to have your watch repaired by an Authorized service center to preserve the warranty and to carry out a proper water-resistance check. Taking your watch to an unauthorized retailer will invalidate the warranty.

How to use your watch in water

Classification: Watches are classified by their degree of water-resistance, which roughly translates to the following: 1 meter = 3.28 feet

All Victorinox Swiss Army watches are water-resistant to between 50 meters and 500 meters. Check the details on the case back of your Victorinox Swiss Army watch and carefully read the table of water-resistance below.

Water-resistance chart

Meters

Feet

ATM

Usage

50

165

5

Suitable for showering or swimming in shallow water

100

330

10

Suitable for swimming or snorkeling

500

1650

50

Suitable for serious deep water diving

The water-resistance of your watch cannot be guaranteed indefinitely, as the gaskets may age, crowns or pushers may receive knocks and climate or temperature may vary. We therefore recommend that you have the water-resistance of your watch checked every 18 months at an authorized Victorinox Swiss Army service center or at least every time the case of the watch is opened.

Please remember to not operate pushers or the crown while your watch is underwater. Make sure that both are properly pushed back or screwed down.

How to clean your watch

To preserve the attractive appearance of the watch, clean the case and the steel or gold bracelet regularly in slightly soapy water, then rinse in clean water and dry with a soft cloth.

You can also use a toothbrush to clean your watch. Make sure you choose a brush with soft bristles to avoid scratching the watch case or bracelet.

To clean your leather strap, first rinse it under clean water then rub it with a soft brush and a little soap. Wipe with a soft cloth and leave it air-dry. Keep the cleaned leather away from any source of heat.

While not wearing the watch

Please keep your watch in a safe, dry place. To prevent any adverse effects, you are advised to store the watch in your Victorinox Swiss Army box or in a soft pouch.

Allow the movement to work for a few days to re-establish its original accuracy.

If you are the owner of a mechanical watch, we recommend that you wind it regularly by turning the crown back and forth until you feel a slight resistance. This regular winding will ensure the smooth running of your watch for many years. Take care to not over-wind your watch.

The dials and hands of Victorinox Swiss Army watches are treated with Super-Luminova, which takes its luminescence from daylight or any artificial light source. Super-Luminova uses phosphorescence and is free from radioactive material. The watch must be exposed to bright light in order to ensure the luminescence of the dial and hands in the dark or during the night.